Page:Embroidery and Fancy Work.djvu/12

8 all that is done with the pencil shall also be practised with chalk. Free-hand drawing cannot be too free. The hand, practised to sweep boldly yet steadily in spirals, circles and curves, can be trained in a short time to a rapidity of execution and an unerring accuracy which seem miraculous to many. Let us consider how this is to be acquired. The beginner should take a lead pencil, not too soft, an H. or H. B. (hard or medium) will do. Practice for some days on a ground-glass slate, such as costs from twenty-five to fifty cents, tracing the outline pictures which are sold with such slates In tracing the outline pictures draw very slowly indeed at first.… Draw with the point of the lead, not with its side.… After practising on the slate until you feel familiar with the pencil, get some transparent paper, through which an ordinary outline picture can be plainly seen. Now trace with increased care."

When the mastery of the pencil has been so far attained that you can draw a firm but light sweeping line, you can begin copying good outline sketches, say a simple spray of leaves. The next step may be taken by arranging the leaves in a circle, or along a line of construction formed by drawing semi-circles or segments of circles alternately above and below a horizontal line. If you find difficulty in doing this, cut your leaves out in paper and arrange them on your construction line. Trace the outlines, and repeat. Inclose the design thus formed within parallel lines and the result will be a design for a border. For a centre piece you would need a different method. Draw a circle or ellipse of the size required. Draw horizontal and perpendicular diameters through this, and arrange your leaves on these lines, or else arrange them in a wreath on the curved line. Mr. Leland recommends a little affair, made somewhat on the principle of a kaleidoscope to help in getting the idea of symmetrical and pleasing combinations.